Tri-Valley Mortgage News

I've never posted a photo on Wordless Wednesday before. I guess I've never felt I had a relevant photo to share. Since Spring is officially here, I thought I'd post my latest organizing project: our entry hall coat closet. I put away all the winter stuff to make room for the summer stuff. I started storing my son's socks in a plastic shoe box here because his shoes are kept here too. Storage is all about function - think about storing things where you use them the most, which may not necessarily be where you *think* they should be stored. Get creative and save yourself some time!

Year after year one of the most prolific homeowner property insurance claims is due to water damage. Follow these time-tested tips to keep your home safe and dry!

1. Check your water pressure regularly: At least once a year check to make sure your water pressure is in the optimal range of 45 to 65 pounds per square inch (psi). You can do this by purchasing a pressure gauge and attaching it to the faucet. If your reading is above 65 psi this could mean trouble down the line. For more on how to test water pressure, check out this article.
2. Fix leaks: This may sound obvious but leaks can go unnoticed until damage is already done. Look for stains around areas where water is used. Check in cabinets under sinks for water spots. Also, if there are unusually warm spots in the floor, it could indicate hidden water damage.
3. Check out your water bill: Normally I just pay my water bill without really looking it over and I know I'm not alone. But try to get in the habit of periodically inspecting your charges to get an idea of your normal water usage. Major fluctuations may indicate a problem. Of course, you may use more water in the hotter months but if you check your usage regularly, you'll get a feeling for what is normal and what is cause for concern.
4. Replace old or worn parts: Periodically check your appliances' hoses and/or seals as well as the caulking around them. The time investment is minor compared to the potential hazard if left unchecked.
5. When you're away for an extended period of time it may be a good idea to shut off your water to prevent any hazards while you are gone. See if your home has a water shut off valve for the home only so that your yard irrigation isn't affected.
6. Doing laundry? Stay present. One of the best pieces of advice I've ever gotten from a damage restoration professional is to never, ever leave the house while your washing machine is running.  If the machine malfunctions and starts to leak water your presence or absence can mean the difference between small nuisance and major water damage. I know this is a tough one (it has been for me) but just being aware of the potential hazard can motivate you to follow this advice

Do you have any other good tips to prevent water damage? Please feel free to comment below! Stay dry!

Do you or someone you know hang onto every knick knack ever given to you or every art project made by your children? Do you feel like you're being suffocated by all the "stuff" accumulated over the years? If so, first know that you're not crazy. Secondly, there are ways to climb out from under it all.

Why do we hang onto this kind of clutter when we might otherwise have everything else under control? The reason starts to become clearer when we realize that most of our days are spent doing rather mundane tasks and routines. Nostalgia reminds us of our significance in the world and that our lives are unique and worthwhile.

However collecting and keeping these sentimental items can easily get out of hand and the clutter can take over your space. Keeping too many items can actually keep us stuck in the past and in extreme cases, can keep us from positively moving forward with our lives.

The fact is, the more items you stockpile, the less significant each item becomes due to sheer volume. The key is to keep the clutter under control and only keep those things that are truly valuable representations of who you are and what makes you unique. Here are a few tips help you do just that:

• First get some empty boxes and collect all the items you could never bear to part with. Get everything together in one centralized location.
• Sort everything you've collected. You could sort by era, by person, or by type of object (ie: photos, kids art, trophies, etc.).
• Evaluate and make an honest decision about what you can realistically display in your home and still keep an orderly appearance. If your trophies and awards are the most significant to you, then keep them but group them attractively perhaps on a shelf in your office or family room.
• For the items that didn't "make the cut" decide what you will do with them. One of the best ideas I've used is to take pictures of certain items and put them into a scrapbook or photo album where you can also write details of why that item is/was significant to you.

It is possible to part with items you don't have space for but still preserve the memories associated with them. And more often than not, the memory is infinitely more valuable than the item.

Winter weather can cause problems for homeowners. Keep these tips in mind and you can prevent many cold-weather mishaps. Although it would be good to tackle a few of these a week in the fall months leading up to winter, it is never a bad time to get started even though winter is in full swing.

1. Check flashings around roof stacks, vents, skylights and chimneys for signs of cracking, rusting and deterioration.
2. Clear gutters and downspouts. If your downspouts are not tied into a drainage system, the ends should be routed sufficiently away from the house to prevent seepage into the foundation.
3. If you have a fireplace, have it cleaned by a professional and have them check the damper to make sure it is in working order. It's worth the money. We can't stress this one enough: chimney fires are common and can be catastrophic.
4. Replace or repair any broken window latches or mechanisms. Caulk around the window frames.
5. Add weather stripping around the edges of doors and windows. You'll save big on heating costs!
6. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in working order. Replace the batteries.
7. Vacuum under and behind refrigerators to improve their energy efficiency.
8. Replace air filters
9. Check your heating vents. Open those on the floor and close those on the ceiling for improved air circulation during the winter.
10. If you store firewood, make sure you store the piles away from the side of your house.
11. Finally, it's a good idea to periodically check the exterior of your home - the window frames and sash, putty, fascia trims and moldings and flashing for signs of damage.

It is always better to invest in repairs before they become even bigger problems. Winter weather can exacerbate seemingly minor issues so print out this list and check off a few a week. You'll be glad you did.

Before the Big Game today I will be replacing one of my old toilets in the Master Bath. (Fun Fun Fun!)  I saw this video yesterday and decided to share.  As 2010 began I began to look into making some changes around our home.  I have looked at our PG&E as well as our water bill over the past couple of years and realized, that while our energy and water use has remained steady or fallen, the bills continue to rise.  In order to stop this trend, and keep a little more money in our pocket, my goal is to replace the majority of the water fixtures in my home as the year goes on.  I also plan to continue retrofitting old sprinkler lines to drip and finally acquiesce and look to alternatives to the old bulbs.  I must say I enjoy the quality and look our spot and flood lighting but maybe it's time to make the change to more energy efficient choices.

Keeping up with your home maintenance requires knowledge and attentiveness. But it also requires money. This is what real estate professionals mean when we refer to the "cost of ownership."  You can stay on top of these requirements by utilizing your home warranty and by keeping maintenance cash reserves. Even just $50 per month can add up and be a lifesaver if something goes wrong your home warranty does not cover.

Keep in mind, if you do not maintain your home properly, this will negatively impact the future sale/value of your home. Conversely, properly maintaining your home will set the stage for your future success when the time comes to sell. Here are some simple but important actions you can take to ensure your home remains in tip-top shape. You may want to spread out these actions throughout the year so that you don't feel overwhelmed. For example, it's always a good idea to change the batteries in your smoke detector on the weekends when the time changes occur (daylight savings to stander and vice versa). If you use Outlook or a similar application, it's very simple to set reminders for these actions in the future. Or you could simply enter them in the family calendar hanging in your kitchen. 

Finally, be sure to ask other home owners you know who they use and trust for some of the items that require a professional's care. As you receive mail advertisements for home service providers, you could designate a folder to keep all these names handy. When the time comes to call one, you may have more than one to choose from and compare value.

Following is an excellent checklist compiled from the equally excellent book "Your First Home" by Gary Keller. We recommend reading this book if you are considering home ownership. In fact, we would love for it to be required reading before the keys are handed over to any first time home buyer!

Keeping it Clean:

• Clean you gutters once a year
• Change your air filters every 2-3 mos or when they appear dirty
• Have your heating and AC serviced once a year
• Change the batteries in your smoke detector at least once a year
• Read your appliance manuals for recommended upkeep, such as changing your refrigerator's water filter, etc.

Keeping an eye on it:

• Cracks in the ceiling or walls could indicate foundation problems
• Water stains indicate leaks, which need to be fixed as soon as possible
• Eroding caulk around doors and windows can let in moisture that causes dangerous mold growth inside your walls.       
• Buckling or faded shingles indicate your roof is nearing the end of its life
• Tree branches scraping your roof can damage shingles and allow pests access to your home.
• Signs of pests common to your area.

With a little forward planning and attention to detail you can help ensure a safe and happy home as well as protect your financial investment.